I wish the USA distributors would hurry the hell up and get the Hammer films out on Blu-ray.

What are they waiting for?

Richard

Well we haven't got a release date in the UK for the "good stuff" yet (The Curse Of Frankenstein/Dracula/The Mummy), hopfully it won't be too long. I can't see Sony releasing their Hammer stuff on BD (The Gorgon/Curse Of The Mummy's Tomb/The Terror Of The Tongs/The Revenge Of Frankenstein), so I'd think it's down to Twilight Time. Universal have some great stuff (The Brides Of Dracula/The Curse Of The Werewolf/The Phantom Of The Opera), but who knows what they're going to do, probably nothing.

I passed this board info on to MR Richard Klemenson who is the editor and owner of the great mag Little Shop of Horrors, maybe you don't want to reveal yourself here, but if you do, are you here Richard?

Studiocanal have announced the UK Double Play release of two restored Hammer Film classics on 7th May 2012. The Reptile and The Plague of the Zombies - both from director John Gilling - are part of the joint restoration project between Studiocanal and Hammer Films.

Both films were scanned and restored in 2k then mastered for Blu-ray, and both feature brand new half-hour documentaries directed by official Hammer historian Marcus Hearn, featuring interviews with original cast and crew, critic Jonathan Rigby, broadcaster Mark Gatiss, as well as experts on Bray studios (Wayne Kinsey) and Hammer’s music (Professor David Huckvale). Further details are TBC.

Here’s some information on Synapse Films’s upcoming Blu-ray/DVD combo of the Hammer classic TWINS OF EVIL. It will be released on July 10 in 1080p resolution with a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer. Special Features will include:

THE FLESH AND THE FURY: X-POSING TWINS OF EVIL (84 mins.) - An all-new, feature-length documentary exploring Hammer's infamous 'Karnstein' trilogy from the origin of Carmilla, to the making of TWINS OF EVIL. Featuring exclusive interviews with director John Hough, star Damien Thomas, cult film director Joe Dante, Video Watchdog editor Tim Lucas, and more.

Hammer, Icon Film Distribution and Lionsgate Films have officially announced that they will release Terence Fisher's Gothic classic The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), fully restored in High Definition and for the first time in its original Academy ratio of 1.37:1. Street date is October 15th.

The 3-disc Double Play Edition will include 1 x Blu-ray and 2 x DVD packed full of brand new content. Featuring new documentaries and bonus extras, and including the infamous "eyeball" scene, which was originally banned but has now been fully restored.

Baron Victor Frankenstein is the archetypal aristocrat: well-read, cultured and arrogant. Beyond the sophisticated veneer exists a cruel, utterly unscrupulous man, obsessed with ambition. Determined to realise his greatest dream, to create life, he assembles a creature from organs gathered from various unwilling donors. The creature is successful brought to life but the instability of the brain, irretrievably damaged, causes uncontrollable and violent spasms that result in indiscriminate murder... and it is the Baron to whom the blame is laid, with fatal consequences.

The Curse of Frankenstein is a classic 1957 British horror film by Hammer Film Productions, based on the novel Frankenstein (1816) by Mary Shelley. It was Hammer's first colour horror film, and the first of their Frankenstein series. Its worldwide success led to several sequels as well as the studio's versions of Dracula (1958) and The Mummy (1959) and established "Hammer Horror" as a distinctive and uniquely British brand of Gothic cinema. The film was directed by Terence Fisher and starred Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee in two of their most iconic roles.

Great stuff! I'm glad they listened to reason & included a 1:66 version as well as a 4x3. There's been a lot of debate about this on various forums (& I've had my say), & I think 1:66 is correct. For Christmas, instead of getting presents I don't want, I buy Blu's & sell them to the family to give back to me, no surprises, but at least I get something I want. This will be a good Christmas for British films on Blu. The Curse Of Frankenstein, Lawrence Of Arabia & The Life & Death Of Colonel Blimp for starters.

Four Sided Triangle as an extra??! That's frigging awesome! Looks like such a great, comprehensive release.

Two films in HD, one film in SD, and at least an hour of bonus video, all on one Blu-ray disc. Hmmmm.

Yeah it doesn't sound right, someone on another site said it was a mistake & it was in fact on one of the DVD's. I've had the old Anchor Bay DVD for about ten years & still haven't gotten round to watching it.

Studio Canal have detailed their upcoming Double Play edition of director Terence Fisher's The Devil Rides Out (1968), starring Christopher Lee, Charles Gray and Nike Arrighi. This classic Hammer film will be available for purchase online and in shops across the United Kingdom on October 22.

The debonair Duc de Richleau has been trusted with the care of his deceased friend's son, Simon Aron. The Duc discovers that the young man has been seduced into joining a Satanic cult headed by the diabolic Mocata, who is intent on making Simon one of the Devil's disciples. Having rescued Simon from a bloodied ritual, de Richleau is pursued by Mocata, who will stop at nothing to destroy the Duc and his friends, even summoning the Angel of Death itself. Starring Christopher Lee in one of his personal favourite roles and based on the celebrated novel by Dennis Wheatley, The Devil Rides Out is one of Hammer's most accomplished and thrilling mystery horrors.

Special Features: Three brand new documentaries: Black Magic: The Making of The Devil Rides Out The Power of Light: Restoring The Devil Rides Out Dennis Wheatley at Hammer World of Hammer Episode - 'Hammer' Gallery Commentary featuring Christopher Lee, Sarah Lawson & Marcus Hearn Easter Egg

I am so glad to read this, because something very annoying happened the other day. I had on my Cable box a whole bunch of Hammer films that was shown on TCM, This etc etc. You know, DVD-R-well the cable box was acting up, when i was at work, my girlfriend was there when the cable guy came. Guess what?, Yep, he took the box out and put in a new one, there went all my tape recordings of hammer films, YIKES.That's the negative side of modern technology.

Studio Canal have detailed their upcoming Double Play editions of Don Sharp's Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966), starring Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley and Richard Pasco, and John Gilling's The Mummy's Shroud (1967), starring André Morell, John Phillips and David Buck. Both will be available for purchase on October 22.

Rasputin: The Mad Monk

In pre-revolution St Petersburg, Russia, sinister monk Grigori Rasputin proves that he has the unearthly power to ease the deranged and heal the sick, but at what price? Aided by his hypnotic powers Rasputin begins his ruthless and depraved pursuit of power and wealth, determined to give God sins worth forgiving. He must be stopped, but how do you rid the world of a man who defies death?

The time is 1920; the place is Mezzera, Egypt, an exotic land of mystery and ancient magic. A routine expedition is about to turn into a violent, murderous rampage that few will survive. Renowned scientist Sir Basil Walden and a team of expert archaeologists are on a journey to find the lost tomb of pharaoh Kah-to-Bey. Having ignored warnings of a deathly curse, the expedition unearths the pharaoh's final resting place with horrific consequences. A vengeful spirit has been unleashed and it wants their flesh...Directed by John Gilling (The Reptile, The Plague Of The Zombies), Hammer's The Mummy's Shroud has gained cult notoriety for its gruesome murder sequences and its stunning climax. A true terror from the tombs!

Special Features: Two brand new documentaries: The Beat Goes On: The Making of The Mummy's Shroud Remembering David Buck Hammer Trailers Gallery

QUESTION-Does anyone know if Scars of Dracula-70- is on BLUE -RAY yet? Back in the early 80's i bought a beautiful looking VHS copy of that film from THORN/EMI-i love the color decors on that film. I wonder how nice that film will look on Blue Ray?

dan - As far as I know, there are no imminent plans for a Blu of SCARS OF DRACULA, but I'm only a casual collector and don't closely follow what's coming up.

Coincidentally, I picked up the old Anchor Bay DVD for 3 pounds when in Scotland a few weeks ago. It looks great as it is (bearing in mind that it is a VERY cheap Hammer production, with cardboard sets etc, nothing like the classic early Hammers) so I don't know if a BluRay would only heighten the defects.